Aluminum awning window



y 1958 N. c. WALBERG ETAL 2,842,812

' ALUMINUM AWNING WINDOW Filed April 21, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J0 IEJ. 5

* INVENTORS A4; r/m/v 6. 14414250; W/LL/AMA 01 14/3110 United States Patent ALUB'IINUM AWNING WIN DOW Nathan C. Walberg, Coral Gables, and William A. DiiMiscin, Miami, Fla.

Application April 2 1,, 1,954,. Sesame. 424,626 4 Claims. (cl. 20--62) The present invention relates. to an awning window embodying a frame of hollow construction and a plurality of horizontally dispode rectangular window sections or vents which, when the window. is closed, are supported one above the other. in a vertical plane. For swinging movement about a horizontal axis each section has hinge connectionadjacent its upper corners with apair of parallel bars. guided for reciprocalvertical movement in the frame jarnbs, These bars, through suitable linkage, actuated by power mechanism in the sill; will raise and-lower the hinged sections to engage or disengage each other, as the window is being closed or opened, respectively, and simultaneously with suchmovement, the sections will swing to closed position or to any desired angular opening.

An objection. to many windows heretofore constructed and operating i the general manner just above described, andwhich it is an object of the instant, invention to overcome, has been their failure to effectively weatherseal the window opening and to keep the sash from rat ling. in. e. wind.

Another object of the invention is an improvement in linkage. whereby greater leverage is obtained to give igh er. closing of thewindow.

Another object. is an improvement which not only reduces friction in movement of the vertical slide bars to'which the window sections are hinged but also relieves such b ars from bending action.

Another and important feature of the invention resides in, first, a novel arrangement whereby the sash and frame function to securely weather-seal the, window opening whilea like protectionis formed between such parts and. a; storm sash or screentmounted within the frame, and, second, theprovision ofa weather-seal betweenthe top and bottommembers of adjacent window sections.

The, frame andsash, are preferably made oflight weight metal which embodies the elements of strength, dura-,

bility and resistance to corrosion, a further objectof the invention. being to design these parts so as to be readily and accurately assembled into a neat and rigid. structure, to permit. the ready assembly within the frame of. the operating mechanism, and to protect such mechanism by so completely housing it when the Window is; closed as to exclude the entrance of dust, dirt and other. destructive. foreign matter.

The. power mechanism or operator includes a. cross shaft, a gear segment and a pair of. rocker'arms pressed on.the shaft, and bearings at opposite ends of the, shaft, one of; the bearings providing a housing for a worm gear in mesh with the gear segment, and bearings for the worm shaft. These parts constitute a sub-assembly. which isinstalled in the frame as a unit, a still further object ice of the, invention being to so construct the bearing in which the worm gear shaft is journalled that it will have a three dimensional support by removably securing it to the frame in three different planes thus adding rigidity to the mounting.

Furthermore, the novel construction of this hearing maintains the worm and segment gears in perfect alignment by preventing axial shift of the segment and endwise movement of the worm, relieves the segmental member from sustaining axial thrust, increases operational efficiency, and permits protrusion of the. operating shaft from either side of the housing, thus allowing the unit to be installed for manipulation from the right or the left side of a window sill. The unit is interchangeable and such change can be made even after installation.

The. accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification, show a preferred embodiment of the invention, but it will be understood they are for the purpose of illustration only and that such changes may be made in structure and design as do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following more detailed description and defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. '1 shows a closed window in elevation and as viewed from the outside.

Fig. 2 is a side View of the window seenin Fig, 1 but with the sectional members swung to an open position.

Fig, 3' is an enlarged vertical section, on line 3-3 of Fig. 1v and shows in dotted outline. astorm sash, or screen mounted within the. window frame.

Fig. 4. is an enlarged longitudinal section through. the sill taken on line 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a view in elevation of the. top portion. of the frame part only as seen from outside the window- Big. 6 is an enlarged. vertical sectional view of the lower portion of the frame jamb seen at the right in Fig. l and. the adjoining part of the sill. The view is from the inside of the, window with the. section taken in thepianeofline 6 6, Fig. 3. V

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view on line. 7-7 of. Fig. 6., looking in the direction of the arrows. In Figures 6 and 7 the. linkage and its operating mechanism are shown in fulL,

Figs. 8 and 9 arefull size transverse sectional views taken. on lines 8.--8. and 9-9.9, respectively, of Fig. 1. For they purpose of better interpretation ofthese views 8, and. 9 it may be stated that. lines 8-8. and 9.-9 of Big. 1. are coincident, with the planes of lines a a and l2b, respectively, of Fig. 7.

Big. 10, is a face view of oneof the slide bars, portions of'the frame associated therewith being shown in verticaL section as on line Lid-1i of Fig. 5. This view also shows fragmentary portions of hinges pivoted. to the b arj.

Big. 11 is. a detail showing across shaft bearing; in plan;v iew. and,- in section, parts of the frame to which it is attached. In this view the bearingis located at the oppositeend of. the sill from which it is shown in Figs. 4, 6 and 7..

In thedrawings similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Thewindow frame, indicated generally by numeral 1, isformedof top, bottom and side members the adjoining endszof whiohare notched and slotted for the. purpose of quick, proper and rigid assembly. These members are the head 2, sill 3 and jambs 4 and 5, each of the parts being of hollow construction rectangular in cross section and having a laterally turned portion which together form a continuous outer flange 6 and thus provide a facing surrounding the opening in a building wall for the frame. A continuous inner flange 7 within the frame opening, and in a vertical plane substantially midway of the depth of the frame, see Figs. 3, 8 and 9, is formed of laterally extending portions of such flange 7 from the adjoining inner walls 8, 9, 10, 10 of the head 2, sill 3 and jambs 4 and respectively.

The outer portion of flange 7 is oifset toward the rear of the window and faced on both sides by weather strip material 7a forming an integral part of the flange, the shoulder 7c formed at the offset in the flange assuring maximum adherence of the weather stripping.

From the foregoing, and by continued reference to Figs. 3, 8 and 9, it will be observed that with no front walls and with their inner side walls 10, extending from the rear but half the depth of the frame, an opening is provided in each jamb which permits assembly therein of the window operating mechanism later to be described. It may be stated, however, at this time that the outer side wall 11 of each jamb 4 and 5 is formed on its inner face with a vertically extending rib 12 which with the rear wall 13 provides a channel 14 for a purpose also to be described.

Frame head 2 is open between flange 7 and its front wall 15 the latter extending below the level of inner wall 8 and is provided with a watershed 16. The sill 3 is open from flange 7 to its front wall 17 which extends upward from its outer wall 18 to a level below that of the inner wall 9, thus permitting assembly and adjustment of the power mechanism therein.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention there are three similar window sections indicated in general by numerals 19, 20 and 21, each section including a windowpane 22, horizontal top and bottom sash members 23 and 24, respectively, and vertical side pieces or stiles 25, 25. Each of such members has a laterally turned portion the adjoining four of which provide a flange 26 against which the Windowpane 22 is sealed, as indicated at 27, by any of the means well known in the art. These flanges 26 of the three window sections, when the latter are closed, contact the weather-stripped flange 7 of the frame 1.

Outwardly turned wide flanges 28 on the sash side pieces extend across the open front of frame 1 and rest against the outer face of flange 6. In the vertical plane of these flanges 28 are upwardly and downwardly turned overlapping flanges 29 and 30 on the top and bottom members 23 and 24, respectively, of adjacent sash, these flanges also extending across the open front of the frame to lie against flange 6. In this manner the open fronts of jambs 4 and 5 are closed and the mechanism therein hidden from view when the window is closed. And, in like manner the sash top 23 of upper window section 19 with its flange 28 closes from view the opening in frame head 2 while the bottom sash member 24 of lower window section 21 closes the opening in sill 3.

As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 7 the top 23 and bottom 24 of adjacent sash are spaced apart, this spacing being closed on the outside or front by the overlapping flanges 29 and 30 and in rear by an upwardly extending flange 31 on the top 23 of the lower one of such adjacent sash and which lies in the vertical plane of flange 26 and in rear of a flange 32 projecting downward from the bottom 24 of the upper sash of the window sections. These flanges 32 are offset in the manner of flange 7 and weatherstripped, as seen at 7b, the two flanges 31 and 32 cooperating to sea] from one frame jamb to the other the horizontal opening between the top and bottom of adjacent window sections. Also flange 31 of the window section 19 and like flange 31 of section 21 will engage the flange 7 and provide a seal across the top and bottom of the frame opening.

From the foregoing it will readily be understood that the openings referred to in the frame structure are closed by the sash in a manner to prevent the seepage thereinto of dust and dirt, that the frame opening is weather-sealed on all sides and that a like seal is provided along the horizontal junctures of adjacent window sections. Furthermore, the weather-stripped flange 7 will also provide a seal for a storm sash or screen, indicated in dotted lines at 33, Figs. 3 and 8, which is mounted in frame 1 in rear of such flange 7.

Secured by screws 34 to the side pieces 25 of each window section adjacent its upper corners are the oppositely positioned elongated center portions 35 of a pair of hinges generally indicated at 36. The end portions 37 and 38 of these hinges 36 are offset from the plane of the center portion and extended angula'rly in opposite directions. The extensions 37 are pivotally connected by shouldered rivets 39 to a'pair of slide bars 40 and 41 oppositely positioned in the frame jambs 4 and 5, respectively. A roller is mounted on each uppermost pivotal connection 39 and a roller 81 on the lowermost pivotal connection. These rollers travel in the channels 14 and by engaging the side walls thereof sustain lateral thrust on the bars 40 and 41 in opening and closing of the window sections and greatly reduce friction in the up and down movement of the bars.

On pivotal connection 39 at the lower end of each slide bar there is also mounted the upper end of a synchronizing bar 42 comprising a link which at its lower end is pivotally connected at 43 to the upper end of a rocker arm 44 pressed on a cross shaft 45. This shaft 45, housed within sill 3, extends transversely of the window and is journalled in end bearings 46 and 47.

Also pressed on shaft 45 adjacent one of the rocker arms 44 is a segmental gear 48. This gear is driven by a worm 49 on an operating shaft 50 which, each side of worm 49 is journalled in bearings forming an integral part of the cross shaft bearing 47. Attached to shaft 50 by set screw 51 is a tubular extension 52 to which is secured a hand crank 52a for operating the mechanism from inside the window. An opening 53 in the rear wall of sill 3 permits rotation of the gear segment and is closed by a cover 54.

A feature which adds to the efliciency of the invention is that the lead angle or pitch of the teeth on the sector gear 48 which is engaged by the worm gear 49 is increased slightly to eliminate back lash. The pitch is not standard and is made to eliminate such back lash which, to my knowledge, is consistent in any stage operation between standard gears used in prior windows of this type.

Simultaneously with the vertical movement of the window sections up or down, through the medium of the slide bars 40 and 41, there is a swinging movement thereof, one of the main objects of the invention being the provision of means for accomplishing this movement in such manner that, as the window sections are closed, leverage will be exerted to effect a powerfully tight closure.

The means associated with the slide bars 40 and 41 for swinging the hinged window sections are a pair of links 55, one in frame jamb 4 and the other oppositely positioned in jamb 5, there being a pair of such links for each window section.

Each link 55 has pivotal connection 56 at its upper end with the sash and a like connection 57 at its lower end with one arm of a two-arm lever 58 adjustably secured by screws 59 to the inner wall 10 of the jamb 4 or 5 in which it is located.

Links for the purpose just above described and pivoted to a hinged window section and a fixed part of the frame are not new. Heretofore, however, owing to the restricted space in which they operate such links stand practically on dead center as the sash closes so that there is insufficient pressure to effect a tight closure. To overcome this objectionable feature and to provide leverage through the medium of toggle joints as the window sections close, the side pieces 25 of the sash have slot openings 70 through which the angular extensions of the hinges are projected, suitable housing covers 71 being provided for the openings 70 and to protect the protruding parts from corrosion.

The upper ends of links 55 are also extended angularly forward, as shown, to pass through the slots 70, the pivotal connections 56 of the links to the sash being with the hinge extensions 38.

In operation the rocker arms 44 are swung to one side or the other according to which direction the crank 52a is turned. This movement, through the pair of links 42 produces either an upward vertical movement of the slide bars 40 and 41 to align the window sections 19, 20 and 21 one above the other and to bring relative parts of the three sashes into overlapping engagement as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 7, or a downward movement of the slide bars to open the window sections as in Fig. 2. Simultaneously With the up and down movement of the slide bars, the links 55 pivoted at one end to the sash and at their other end to a fixed point in the frame will cause the window sections to swing on their hinge connections 39. It will be observed that vent retention is at the point of hinge contact and remains the same regardless of whether the vents are open or closed, or any position between open and closed. In other words it results in a moving support point rather than a fixed support point for the vents.

The interchangeable operator unit which includes the cross shaft 45, bearings 46 and 47, sector and worm gears 48 and 49, and rocker arms 44, 44 is mounted in the following manner:

Bearing 46 which is a plate having a bore for receiving one end of shaft 45 is secured by screws 60 to jamb wall 11 at one end of the sill 3. The opposite bearing 47 is an Lshaped casting the upright leg of which is attached by screws 61 to the lower end of the Wall 11 of the other jamb while the horizontal leg rests upon and is attached to the bottom of sill 3 by screws 62 on side of the bearing lying against the rear wall 13 of the adjacent jamb and is secured thereto by a screw 63 threaded into one or the other of the oppositely positioned tapped holes 64, see Fig. 11.

Formed at the juncture of the vertical and horizontal legs of bearing 47 is a boss 65 having a recess 66 for receiving the worm gear 49 and a slot 67 opening into such recess for receiving the sector gear 48. Side walls of slot 67 prevent axial displacement of the sector gear on its shaft 45 and the end walls of recess 66 retain the worm 49 from endwise movement. Like lateral projections 68, 68 on opposite sides of the boss 65 are bored to rotatably receive the worm gear shaft 50, this shaft protruding from one side or the other of the bearing 47 according to location of the bearing for right or left side operation of power mechanism.

A cut out 53 is provided at each end of sill 3, the one not in use being normally closed by a cover plate 69, as illustrated in Fig. 4.

From the above description of the invention it will readily be seen that a window constructed in accordance therewith will have a frame in which the window opening is weather-sealed on all sides, that the sash of the window sections will completely close the open head, jambs and sill of the frame, that the juncture between the sash of adjacent window sections will also be weather-sealed, that smooth operation of the slide bars is assured and such bars relieved of bending action, that the arrangement of the linkage is such that the window sections will be closed tight, that weather stripping on the frame will also function to seal a storm sash or the like mounted in the window frame, and that an operator, constructed y 6 in a manner to prevent disarrangement of parts is installed as a unit andis interchangeable.

What we claim is:

1. In an awning window, the combination of a hollow frame including. open front jambs, a plurality of window sections arranged one above the other in a vertical plane, a sash forming a part of each window section and including parallel side pieces and lateral extensions which when the window is closed cover the open fronts of said jambs, said lateral extensions having slot openings therethrough, oppositely positioned slide bars supported for reciprocating vertical movement in said jambs, opposing channels formed in said jambs and having vertical sides, guide and lateral thrust sustaining means for said slide bars comprising rollers mounted thereon and engaging the sides of said channels, a pair of hinges for each of said window sections, said hinges being secured to the sides of said sash and having pivotal connection with said slide bars on pivotal mounting of said rollers, angular extensions on said hinges extending through said slot openings, links pivoted at their lower ends to adjustable members fixed to said jambs, said links including angular portions also extending through said slots, pivots connecting the angular portions of said hinges and links in front of said jambs, and housings for the projected ends of the said links and hinges comprising covers for said slots.

2. In an awning window in accordance with claim 1 but characterized by said guide and lateral thrust sustaining means for said slide bars being at the point of hinge contact of said sections and remaining at said point of hinge contact regardless of whether the sections are open, or any position in between open and closed, said thrust sustaining means comprising a moving support point for supporting the sections.

3. The combination, in an awning window, of a rectangular frame including two open front vertical jambs each having a longitudinally extending channel, such channels opening toward each other, a sash, a pair of hinges secured to opposite sides of said sash, a pair of oppositely positioned vertically movable slide bars in said jambs and to which said hinges have pivotal connection to swing about a horizontal axis, means for supporting and to effect reciprocating movement of said bars, means to open and close said sash simultaneously With the down and up movement, respectively, of said bars comprising a. pair of links pivoted to opposite sides of said sash and to a pair of fixed members adjustably secured to said jambs, and vertically spaced rollers on said slide bars and movable in said channels, said rollers providing a guide and lateral thrust sustaining means for the bars with one of said rollers mounted on the pivotal connection of said hinge to sustain the lateral thrust at any angular position of the sash, said sash having slot openings in the sides thereof and by said hinges and said window opening links having converging angular portions extending through said openings, by said angular portions being pivotally connected in front of the sash, and by including housings on the sash for the parts projecting through said slots.

4. The combination, in an awning window, of a rectangular frame including two open from vertical jambs each having longitudinally extending channel, such channels opening toward each other, a sash, a pair of hinges secured to opposite sides of said sash, a pair of oppositely positioned vertically movable slide bars in said jambs and to which said hinges have pivotal connection to swing about a horizontal axis, means for supporting and to effect reciprocating movement of said bars, means to open and close said sash simultaneously with the down and up movement, respectively, of said bars comprising a pair of links pivoted to opposite sides of said sash and to a pair of fixed members adjustably secured to said jambs, and vertically spaced rollers on said slide bars and movable in said channels, said rollers providing a guide and lateral thrust-sustaining means for the bars, with' one of said rollers mounted on the pivotal connection of said hinge to sustain the lateral thrust at any angular position of the sash, each of said fixed members being a two-arm lever to one arm of which the corresponding one of said sash, closing and opening links is pivoted, the other arm being adjustably secured to one of said jambs.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Nelson Aug. 15, 1933 Peremi et a1. Nov. 4, 1941 Schottenberg Dec. 23, 1941 Gargiulo Aug. 28, 1945 Gargiulo Aug. 2, 1949 Reynaud July 18, 1950 Somerstein June 23, 1953 Bancroft Feb. 2, 1954 

